"Stranger things had happened, how strange would it be if I told you I believe you were made for me." —Stanaj.

I am sitting in the front seat of Mr. Todd's car, absentmindedly staring through the tinted glass at the double doors of Graysville High School.

The school looks a lot more prestigious and architecturally satisfying than Camber High. The grasses on the landing are low and green, and the structure seems as though it had just been newly built. Though it's not far from my neighborhood, this is my first visit here since my residence at Sunrise Close.

Soon the doors of the burgundy building open, and I shift upright in my seat as Mr. Todd appears at the doorway with a young girl.

The teen has her eyes glued to her cellphone while two white EarPods are tucked into her ears, seemingly not giving even the slightest care in the world.

Mr. Todd says something to a middle-aged lady who appears to be of high rank before he makes the first exit from the school. The girl, who I am presuming is his niece, follows him with a blank look plastered on her face. Apparently, being expressionless runs in their gene.

The devil appears quite ticked off as he walks around to the driver's side, squinting his eyes from the evening sun as he opens the door. My lips twist in nosiness as I steer my head to the window on my side, watching as the petite girl opens the backseat with her poker face still present.

As she clambers into the vehicle, the scent of cotton candy pervades the air, and she spots me at the front seat in no time. Her brows crumple in confusion as she tugs her backpack off. "Who are you?"

At the sound of her nonchalant voice, I swing my head around to look at her. Her forehead is wrinkled in a feisty frown, and she is quite pretty—with tiny facial features and black curly hair. She has Mr. Todd's coffee eyes, and her lips are flushed and full.

I smile, even though her facial expression is quite the opposite. "Uh, I am—"

"She's my student, sit back, and put your seatbelt on." Mr. Todd coldly inserts, his tone chilling the already humid air as he snaps his seatbelt.

I frown at him. I could introduce myself!

His niece presses her lips together as her forehead evens out. Following his stern order, she hauls her safety strap while I turn around comfortably in my seat.

The car ride starts out quiet and awkward and I look out my window, watching as we pass several buildings and housings to get to Sunrise Close.

Suddenly, my body jerks as a hard smack to the steering wheel pulls my frightened gaze to Mr. Todd.

"Why can't you stop giving trouble, Mia? Smoking? Seriously?! How many more calls should we get about you?!"

And I thought I have seen the ultimate level of his aggression.

"It wasn't me, okay? I wasn't the one smoking," she answers, and I detect a strong sense of confidence in her tone. "I already told you that it wasn't me."

"Yeah, but you were the only one left in the bathroom when the springs went off, standing next to a damn cigarette bud. Can you explain that? And the fact that you're always causing some trouble makes your claims unbelievable; you are aware of that, right?"

I bite my lip, trying to mind my business but unable to stop my neck from turning around to look at her.

She catches my eyes and drops her gaze back to her cellphone, deciding not to say anything else. She raises the volume on her music, causing it to bleed through the earphones.

"And turn off the bloody music when I am talking to you!" Mr. Todd yells, scaring even me. I scratch my arm in discomfort as the girl grabs the EarPods from her ears.

"You better sit and reflect on how you will explain this to your father. He's not home yet, so I'll have to take you to my place. You're going to stay in your room upstairs and think about your actions."

Mia stays quiet, and I rub my palms together, feeling terribly awkward. I hate being in the center of a family feud!

A few uncomfortable minutes later, Mr. Todd finally pulls up to the curb of a large metal gate, and my lips part in a daze as I take in his residence. I knew the housings around Sunrise Close have good designs and constructions, but it seems as though Mr. Todd got the best house out of this entire scheme.

The fancy, modern abode is painted in grey and black, and the shape of it somewhat resembles a box. He has a wide spacious garage on one side of it, and the windows are transparent, giving me a view of the moonlight blue curtains draped over them. His house looks cozy and I haven't even gotten inside yet.

A loud knuckle to my window jerks me from the mesmerizing trance I had sunken into, and I make out Mr. Todd's annoyed glare through the tinted glass.

He jerks a thumb behind him, then points to the car door and I realize that they are now on the outside while I am sitting in my spot staring at his house like a cavewoman.

Christ, are you not used to civilization Kelly Young?

I smack my lips bashfully and grab the handle, stepping out onto the pavement. The warm sun kisses my face, and I can smell rain in the atmosphere. I look up and notice the silver clouds clustering in one spot; we may get rain tonight.

"You seem to not realize that we have arrived." He says, and I put my backpack on my back, not offering a response because I have no idea what to say.

He shuts his door, and we begin to make our way up the narrow pavement with elegantly planted roses on either side of it. His landings are even greener than his niece's school's, and I wonder if this man has ever fallen victim to any form of imperfection. I am starting to wonder if he's an extraterrestrial being. You know, like something in the Lords of the Rings.

Clean. That's the first word that arrives at my thoughts as soon as his door swings open. His house smells fresh and looks spotless. Every piece of furniture is smooth and shiny as if they have just been bought and as if the house itself has never been prone to dust or dirt. His living room is spacious with adequate room to move about. All fixtures and appliances seem relevant with none taking up unnecessary space. They are all in dark colors.

Something furry brushes against my leg, and I look down to see a big, healthy-looking dog.

Woah. I didn't take Mr. Todd as a pet guy.

My face pipes up as I squat down to its level, tucking loose hair behind my ear as I speak to it in an identifiable language, something that lies between baby-talks and Spanish; I don't know.

Mia passes by me with her EarPods back in her ears as she ventures toward the stairs, and Mr. Todd tears his eyes away from her retreating back and extends a palm to me. "Be careful; she's not friendly with females—"

The dog groans as she rubs her head against my arm, and I giggle at the affection as I look up at my teacher. "Sir?"

He straightens his spine and shakes his head. "Never mind. Take your shoes off before entering the living room."

"Yes, sir!" I salute him playfully, and he glances back at me with a weird look as he moves toward what seems like a kitchen.

I begin to untie the laces of my sneakers, and strangely, the dog stays next to me while I do so. When I am through, I scoop her up into my arms and stand up, peeling my shoes off with the heels of my feet.

Walking over to the couch, I try not to slide in my white socks as my feet skid against the smooth floorboard. I sit on the sofa, putting the dog next to me, and Mr. Todd exits the kitchen holding a bottle of water, throwing me a frown of disapproval.

"Kelly, no. Take her down from the sofa."

"Sorry." I hide a scowl as I lift her onto the floor, caressing her head with a smile. "What's her name, sir?"

"Celia."

I beam, repeating the name under my breath. I think I am growing attached to the dog after meeting her for only two minutes.

I am obsessed with animals and Korean culture.

After stretching her long limbs, she toddles over to her owner as he makes his way toward his glass staircase.

"I had a long day, so I am going to take a shower, and then we can begin."

I nod. "Okay, sir."

I watch him idly as he starts undoing his shirt while climbing the stairs, and as soon as he disappears around a corner, I take the time to look around the living room.

It's hard to get over how luxurious this house is. I run my hands against the black leather sofa, then sprawl over onto my back, staring up the ceiling as I hum a tune beneath my breath.

After a few minutes of looking into blank space, I realize that I really need to pee, but I have no idea where the bathroom is. I get up from the daybed and begin to scan the ground floor. I meet upon the laundry room, a game room, and other areas, but nowhere to ease my throbbing bladder. I begin to climb the steps while glancing around for a door that possibly leads to a restroom.

As I make my way onto a long hallway, I pass by an opened door, stealthily peering in and noticing Mia on the bed, jerking her legs while she watches something from her phone screen. Being a psycho-stalker of Korean Pop Music, I effortlessly make out the flawless figures of the group BTS.

Damn, I like this girl.

I clear my throat and knock against her door, then I foolishly recall that she has EarPods in and probably won't hear me. But then she surprises me by tugging the devices out and looking around at me.

I shuffle on my feet. "I'd like to find a bathroom."

"Two doors away." Is all she says before looking back at her cellphone.

"Thanks..." I mutter inaudibly before making my way to the instructed door.

The bathroom is spacious, and everything inside it is either white or grey. I handle my business in a swift, wash my hands, then leave the room, hoping that it is still as clean as how I came in and saw it.

As I begin to return downstairs, I walk by another room that is half-opened. The first thing that catches my eyes is a huge poster of a lion above the bed. I bite my lip and scan the hallway before gently pushing the door aside and making my way in.

Without a doubt, this has to be Mr. Todd's room. The entire house is meticulously organized, but there is just something about this room that breaks all records. It's beyond perfect.

Somehow, I feel like I am seeing a piece of his soul. Something I wouldn't be able to see in the four walls of Camber High.

It feels personal. And it is personal. This is his room, his sanctuary—where he reveals sides of him he probably shows to no one else.

My eyes drift to a photo frame on the table next to his bed, and I take it up inquisitively. It's a picture of him and a female posing in front of a lit Christmas tree in what looks like a night park. Both their heads are covered with winter hats and their smiles are bright and genuine. They look nothing alike, so my smutty thoughts instantly assume that she's his girlfriend.

I chuckle at my hypothesis, shaking my head. Mr. Todd? Has a girlfriend? I think not!

"What are you doing in my room, Ms. Young?"

I jolt and turn around, quickly pushing the photo frame behind me as Mr. Todd stares at me from across the room.

I gulp, and then my eyes slowly take in his physique.

He's shirtless. Seeming to have just stepped out of the shower with only a towel draped around his waist.

My breath hitches for a long moment.

His stomach has six hard pecs outlined in it, and his upper torso is defined and toned. There is a tattoo of a scorpion on the left side of his chest, and I notice further that he has another art carved near to his collarbone. A series of cursive lettering, but I can't make out what is written there from where I stand.

"Kelly."

"I am sorry." I snap out of the trance. "Th-the door was open and I-I..." My words trail off as I notice him steadily moving toward me.

Oh, God! What should I do; run?

"I-I will return d-downstairs." I stutter, but he's already standing in front of me. I back up, but my rear digs into the table, telling me that I am at a dead end.

"First...you snuck into my office. And now...you snuck into my room. I just feel like you're working for a punishment, Kelly Young."

He reaches his hand around my body, and my cheeks heat up as I squeeze my eyes close.

"Mr. Todd, what are you—"

He takes the photo frame from my grip, the scent of his body wash filtering through my sense of smell. I slowly open my eyes, keeping them on the tattoo above his collarbone. I can see the words written there now.

That's what it reads. It feels somewhat...direct.

Water is still dripping from his hair and onto his chest, racing to the 'v' faintly peeking up from his towel.

This is inappropriate. He's my teacher and he's half-naked in front of me.

But it's my fault, isn't it? I barged into his room.

But why won't he just put some clothes on? Oh, because I am here.

So I just need to leave. Yeah, I just need to leave.

I gesture to move away when he lifts the frame in his hand. "Why do you have this?"

My eyes glide to the image, though I already know what's on it. "I was just looking at it."

He stares at me for a while, his golden eyes boring through mines, drinking in every little detail about my face. Then he reaches around me to put the photo on the table. "Wait for me downstairs."

"Okay..." I quickly begin to walk off when my foot gets tangled in the base of his bedside table and I begin to fall over, taking him with me on the way down.

Fuck!

I land hard against his chest on the floor, my weight pinning his body on the rough carpet. I groan, grimacing as I lift my head.

And then I freeze, noticing how close our faces have ended up. Just an inch apart, meaning one subtly lean in and our mouths will collide.

I swallow, and he stares up at me with his brows slightly scrunched together. His red lips are slightly parted, and his irises are moving between both of my eyes. His stare is so hypnotic that I can't look away.

I haven't had a member of the opposite sex looking into my eyes this way. My heart isn't accustomed to it and keeps acting up weirdly in my chest. I can tell my cheeks are rosy, but there is no place to hide them, not with our faces this close.

But then he blinks a few times, as if trying to come out of some daze, and diverts his gaze from me and up to the ceiling, his teeth clenching a little.

"K-Kelly."

"Sir?"

"You're pressing against me."

My mind hasn't returned to earth. "Mm?"

"You're pressing against my..."

And then I feel it. A hard poke of his...anaconda. Pressing against the fabric of my school skirt. It's firm and feels gigantic, causing my heart to race frantically.

"I-I am so sorry!" I start to shuffle off him, but my knee ends up pressing into his groin.

"Fuck!" He seethes, groping his center as he shuts his eyes, and I gasp.

"Oh my God!" On first instinct I hold onto 'it' apologetically, but quickly release it when I realize what I am doing.

Mr. Todd's eyes are wide open. "Kelly, go downstairs."

"Y-yes." I quickly get up and chase out of his room at the speed of light.

~

😏😘✨